Side Orders • January 19, 2017

AROUND TOWN . . . The Rooster is ready to flap its wings as the next Chinese New Year animal on Jan. 28. Eat authentic and auspicious foods at Mike's Hong Kong Bistro on Central Avenue in Wailuku and Ichiban Restaurant on Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului and more.

But you've still got time to swing with the Year of the Monkey and there's no better place to do it than at the grand opening of  the new Dirty Monkey in the old Moose McGillycuddy's on Front Street in Lahaina this Friday.

Sponsored by Mid Pacific Tattoo and Tito's Vodka, the grand opening will also feature a vodka drink special in addition to Dirty Monkey's amazing whiskey list with  200 various brands.

Lamonts band will get you slipping and sliding on the dance floor like a banana peel and they will be followed by DJ sets by CP Ness and Boomshot. Cover charge is $5 at 9 p.m. Come early and eat some fabulous pub chips shaped like monkey ears, crisp  wings, ceviche and burgers.

"We also have a happy hour seven days a week from 2 to 5 p.m.," says Managing Partner Matthew Robb. "It is $2 off select draft beers, wines and well cocktails. It is also $2 off fried pickles, wings, pub chips, and corn lollipops."

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BITS AND PIECES . . .  You won't find any Jamaican jerk chicken at the UB4O Reunited concert at Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday.

But the menu will be a rainbow of diverse   tastes, just like the band's new Silhouette CD, when the A&B Amphitheater gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Ha Bi Bi will transport you to the Middle East with hummus and pitas, falafels, lamb and chicken shawarma and spicy Imshi fries. Kalei's Lunch Box will offer chow fun, hurricane Brussels sprouts, chili bowls and classic cheese steak sandwiches. AK's Cafe will blacken ono, pan roast pork with gravy, and do Asian garlic noodles, crab cakes and brownies. Outrigger Pizza will toss pies; Maui Kazowie Kettlecorn will pop bags and deep fry malasadas. And there will be beer and lots of red, red wine to get you tapping your feet.

Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea is dazzling with its Experience Series in the renovated Luana lounge.

"Partake in themed celebrations that will allow both locals and visitors to discover new flavors in small batch brews, spirits, wines and more," says Director of Public Relations Alexis Eaton. First up is Oh. . . Wine Not? on Friday with a theme of berries 'n' bacon; then Friday Night Films Jan. 27; Firkin Friday Feb. 3; and Project Cocktail on Feb. 10.

D. Vautrinot of Venice, Fla., writes in to say that, "I just wanted to thank the manager and clerk at Tamura's Kahului for finding my wallet last week when I was visiting from the Mainland. Nothing inside was missing and they even zipped it up for safe keeping. Nice feeling to have such honest people around."

Honolulu chef Jonathan Mizukami plans to open a restaurant and bakery on Maui. He most recently ran the kitchen at Chef Mavro and before that Vintage Cave on Oahu and three-Michelin starred French Laundry in Yountville, Calif. Can't wait to see what he's got in store.

I haven't heard of nyonya food since the last time I visited Ubud, Bali. But now the folks that brought us Slappy Cakes on Maui will open Kolea in the old Roy's in Kahana Gateway Center.

"I discovered nyonya (Malaysian food) traveling in Asia franchising Slappy Cakes," says owner Adam Fuderer. "I thought the blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisines was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and the perfect backdrop for a new Pacific Rim concept."

The 8,000-square-foot, 200-seat Koloa is targeted to open Feb. 11. Stay tuned.

* Got restaurant / dining-event scoop?

Call Dining Editor Carla Tracy at 242-6342; or email carlatracy@mauinews.com.